“It can happen when players make mistakes that I don’t call them up for a while. That can also happen here,” said national coach Didier Deschamps to the TV channel France 3.
Zouma had caused outrage on the Internet with a video in which he abused a cat in front of a child. The clip showed the defender kicking the cat like a soccer ball and throwing shoes at it. On top of that, the 27-year-old hits the animal with the palm of his hand. The British animal welfare organization RSPCA is investigating Zouma and has taken his cats into custody for the time being.
“It’s something unacceptable, intolerable, an unspeakable cruelty. These images are shocking and intolerable,” said Deschamps.
Zouma had apologized for his behavior and described it as an isolated incident that will not be repeated. The West Ham defender was sentenced to a large fine within the club, British media reported the equivalent of almost 300,000 euros. Sponsor Adidas canceled the contract with him.
Source: Nachrichten
